Director Gerard de Thame has joined Believe Media for representation in the U.S. and parts of Europe, thus ending his long tenure with HSI Productions. Accompanying de Thame to Believe is his producer Fabyan Daw, managing director of Gerard de Thame Films in London, which continues to handle de Thame in the U.K. market.
At press time, de Thame was in London wrapping up the visual effects on a Prudential campaign, his last project at HSI; the job was done as a co-production with Gerard de Thame Films. “I have enjoyed my time with HSI,” said de Thame, “but this is an industry that never stands still, and it was simply time to shake things up. With a shared vision and considerable passion, Believe was a natural choice.”
De Thame began his career in London where he made his mark directing memorable and award-winning music videos and advertising campaigns. His work quickly caught on in the U.S., and de Thame made his stateside home at HSI where he resided until now. He has directed such notable American ads as Volkswagen Jetta’s “Synchronicity” for Arnold Worldwide, Boston, and Mercedes-Benz’s “Modern Ark” for the then Merkley Newman Harty, New York (now Merkley & Partners)–both of which were nominated for primetime commercial Emmy Awards in 1999 and 2001, respectively. “Synchronicity” also earned the distinction of being inducted into New York’s Museum of Modern Art.
Over the years, de Thame has helmed work for Nike, Samsung and Jeep, among assorted other clients.
Disney Pledges $15 million In L.A. Fire Aid As More Celebs Learn They’ve Lost Their Homes
The Pacific Palisades wildfires torched the home of "This Is Us" star Milo Ventimiglia, perhaps most poignantly destroying the father-to-be's newly installed crib.
CBS cameras caught the actor walking through his charred house for the first time, standing in what was once his kitchen and looking at a neighborhood in ruin. "Your heart just breaks."
He and his pregnant wife, Jarah Mariano, evacuated Tuesday with their dog and they watched on security cameras as the flames ripped through the house, destroying everything, including a new crib.
"There's a kind of shock moment where you're going, 'Oh, this is real. This is happening.' What good is it to continue watching?' And then at a certain point we just turned it off, like 'What good is it to continue watching?'"
Firefighters sought to make gains Friday during a respite in the heavy winds that fanned the flames as numerous groups pledged aid to help victims and rebuild, including a $15 million donation pledge from the Walt Disney Co.
More stars learn their homes are gone
While seeing the remains of his home, Ventimiglia was struck by a connection to his "This Is Us" character, Jack Pearson, who died after inhaling smoke in a house fire. "It's not lost on me life imitating art."
Mandy Moore, who played Ventimiglia's wife on "This Is Us," nearly lost her home in the Eaton fire, which scorched large areas of the Altadena neighborhood. She said Thursday that part of her house is standing but is unlivable, and her husband lost his music studio and all his instruments.
Mel Gibson's home is "completely gone," his publicist Alan Nierob confirmed Friday. The Oscar winner revealed the loss of his home earlier Friday while appearing on Joe Rogan's... Read More